Agricultural implement



Nov. 10, 1964 c. D. MILLER 3,156,124

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Original Filed July 15, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 10, 1964 c. D. MILLER AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. C/afr/es D Mi//er BY AT'TANEY Original Filed July 15, 1959 Nov. 10, 1964 c. D. MILLER AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed July l5, 1959 JNVENmR. BYfo'r/es M/er www @DM AT TRNE Y Nov. 10, 1964 c. D. MILLER 3,156,124l

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Original Filed July 15, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

CBQr/es D /Vi//er Maw/WM A TTOAPVEY United States Patent O 3,156,124 AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Charles D. Miller, Rockford, Ill., assigner to J. I. Case Company, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Original application Juiy 15, 1959, Ser. No. 827,247, now Patent No. 3,036,837, dated May 29, 1962. Divided and this application Apr. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 189,373

Claims. (Ci. M -125.5)

The present invention relates to manure spreaders and is a division of application Serial No. 827,247, tiled Iuly 15, 1959, now patent No. 3,036,837, dated May 29, 1962, and an object thereof is to generally improve the construction and operation of devices of this class.

Spreaders of this general type were originally drawn by horses and the conveying and spreading mechanism was driven from the supporting wheels, of necessity at moderate or low speeds. Upon the advent of the tractor, however, these spreaders were soon found to be drawn by tractors, the speeds of operation being markedly increased so that the relatively crude mechanism for gradually unloading and spreading the material was subjected to stresses, impacts, and the like, completely beyond anything contemplated when the machinery was originally laid out for horse drawn operation. The tractor also brought with it the power take-off and introduced the possibility of operating the spreading machinery from this more dependable source of power, making possible still greater speed and capacity in the mechanism. However, the aforesaid problems were only further exaggerated by this event and, therefore, it is a further object of this invention to provide improved mechanism which is particularly adapted for operation from a tractor power take-off, and further objects are:

To provide a novel and eifective drive for actuating the apron at various selected speeds;

To provide such a drive which will approach continuous actuation or movement of the feed apron;

To provide. a novel method and means for transmitting the power from the power take-off shaft to the working elements of the unloading and speading mechanism;

To provide a novel power control for starting and stopping the mechanism at will;

To provide a novel and eifective frangible driving connection in the power train which will release dependably in the event of an overload, and which is provided with a cheap and readily replaced breakable element; and

To provide numerous expedients for the realization of the above objects.

The construction and arrangement by which these objects are accomplished are fully set out in the following description and accompanying drawings in which FIG- URE 1 is a right side perspective view taken from a little in front of a spreader involving the invention.

FIG. 2 is a similar view, enlarged, with parts removed to show certain mechanism indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a left side elevation of a fragment of the machine with parts removed to show a drive assembly.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view with parts removed looking forwardly and downwardly into the box portion of the spreader.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view substantially on the line 5 5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in FIG. 2, further enlarged, and with parts removed.

FIG. 7 is a similar view with parts broken away showing the components in a different position.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the parts in a still different position.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 of FIG. 6.

"ice

FIG. 10 is a view similiar to FIG. 2, further enlarged, and showing modiiication.

FIG. 11 is a View similar to FIG. 9, but with parts removed and showing the structure of FIG. 10.

FIG. l2 shows construction common to FIGS. 2 and 10, but including details shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view, somewhat enlarged, of certain construction indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a sectional detail, further enlarged, taken substantially on the line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

Similar reference characters have been applied to the same parts throughout the drawings and the following specification, which is to be taken as exemplary and not restrictive.

Returning to FIG. 1, the device embodying the invenvtion is in the form of a two wheeled power take-off manure spreader having a wagon box or body portion B supported on wheels W1 and W2 and having a drawbar construction D arranged to be connected to and supported on a tractor of any suitable type, not shown. When not attached to a tractor, drawbar portion D is supported upon a stand or jack S, and a power take-off or extension shaft P of substantially conventional construction is connected to the tractor power take-olf shaft in wellknown manner for the actuation of the spreader machinery. A conveyor chain or apron C is arranged in the bottom of box B in conventional manner and is actuated by the spreader mechanism, as will be described presently.

The spreader has a conventional beater 14, including a shaft 16, which Vis journaled in suitable bearings in upward extensions 18 and 20 of box B, and a second beater shaft 22 is also journaled in the sides of box B and carries a beater structure 24, FIG. 3, which operates in wellknown manner to disintegrate the material and feed it to a widespread 26 carried on a shaft 28. Shaft 22 is rotated as will be described and drives, through a sprocket 30 and a chain 32, a sprocket 34 lixed on shaft 28. Shaft 22 also drives, through a sprocket 36 and chain 38, a sprocket 4t) fixed on above-mentioned shaft 16. In this way widespread 26 and beater 14 are both driven from rotation of shaft 22.

Returning to FIG. 1, shaft 22 is driven from above mentioned power take-off P, as follows: A knuckle shaft of well-known form and generally designated as 42 is connected to the tractor power take-olf in well-known manner and rotates a shaft 44 carried in a bearing 46 supported from drawbar D on a standard 48. Shaft 44 extends through the front wall 50 of box portion B and is carried in a bearing portion 52 supported from wall 5t), as will appear. Shaft 44 carries, fixed thereon, a pulley 54 FIGURES 4 and 5, disposed within box portion B between wall 50 anda wall 56, which closes off a space between itself and wall 5t) to prevent encroachment of the contents of box B on the space about pulley 54. Pulley 54 has a belt 58 which in the present instance is of the so-called V section and which extends laterally from pulley 54, in the form of two runs 60 and 62, run 60 passing about an idler pulley or mule 64 journaled in an inclined position on a pintle or stub shaft 66 iixed in any suitable manner to box portion B, while run 62 is engaged with an idler pulley or mule 68 journaled on a similarly supported pintle or stub shaft 7), as seen in FIG. l. Runs 60 and 62 then extend backwardly along the side of box portion B and about a relatively large pulley 72, which is supported on and fixed in relation to above-mentioned shaft 22 when the mechanism is in operation. It Will thus be apparent that rotation of power take-off shaft 44 in the usual manner will cause rotation of shaft 22 and, through the mechanism described and shown in FIG. 3, rotation of beaters 24 and 14 together with Widespread` 26. Conveyor apron C is also actuated from shaft 22, as will appear, but it will now be apparent that all of the fast moving components of the spreader are actuated from shaft 44 in an extremely simple and direct manner, which will avoid much of the wear and tear common to past construction, and which will be quiet and efficient in operation.

Returning to FIG. 4, bearing portion 52 has a flange portion 74, FIG. 5, slidably arranged on guides 76 and 78 on wall 50 and in the present instance consisting of angle irons with anges extended inwardly along the margins of an opening 80. Flange portion 74 is engaged with the inner edges of flanges 76 and 73 and has a plurality of bolts 82 extending substantially parallel to shaft 44 and slidably engaged with guides 76 and 78. Bolts 82 extend through a clamping plate 84 engaged with the outer surface of wall 50 beyond the margins of opening 80, the parts being rigidly secured together by the action of nuts 86 threaded on bolts 82. In this manner bearing 52 is very strongly and rigidly supported on wall 50, while, by the expedient of loosening nuts 86, the assembly may be shifted in the direction of guides 76 and 78 for adjusting the tension in belt 58, while kept generally in position by engagement of bolts S2 with guides 76 and '78.

Plate 84 has flanges 88 and 90 extending forwardly therefrom for attachment of a power take-off guard or housing 92, which forms no part of the present invention and need not be further described. For effecting the above-mentioned shifting of plate S4, and accordingly of bearing 52, a rod 94 is fixed in any suitable manner, in the present instance with plate S8, and extended through a guide or bracket means 96 fixed to a frame elment 98 forming part of wall 50. Rod 94 is threaded and has a nut 100 readily accessible through an opening 102, FIG. 1, in wall 50. As will be apparent, when adjustment of belt 58 is required, it is a simple matter to loosen nuts 86 and to shift bearing 52 by manipulation of nut 100, the bearing assembly sliding freely within opening 30 guided by bolts S2. When the desired adjustment is reached, nuts 86 will be tightened, whereupon the bearing will be very solidly mounted independently of adjusting rod 94.

Large pulley 72 is grooved, as shown in FIG. 2, to receive belt 58 and is fixed in relation to a hub 104 having an eccentric portion 105, FIG. 9, the hub being journaled on above-mentioned shaft 22 so as to be capable of rotating freely in relation thereto, and pulley 72 drives shaft 22 through a novel ratchet type clutch device. A pin 106 is fixed in relation to pulley 72 and extends substantially parallel to shaft 22, spaced radially therefrom. Journaled on pin 106 is a driving pawl 108 extending from the pin generally in the direction of rotation of pulley 72 and engaged with one of the teeth of a ratchet wheel 110, ratchet wheel 110 being fixed in relation to shaft 22 so that when pawl 108 is engaged as shown, shaft 22 is driven in fixed relation to pulley 72. Pawl 108 may be engaged and disengaged with ratchet 110 at will by means of an overcenter mechanism, including a link 112 pivoted to pawl 108 at a point displaced from pin 106 cireumferentially of pulley 72. Link 112 is also pivoted to a sleeve hub, or collar generally designated as 114 at a point radially displaced from the center of shaft 22 such that rotation of sleeve 114 relatively to pulley 72 in one direction will shift pawl 108 away from ratchet 110, while such rotation in the opposite direction will shift pawl 108 into engagement with ratchet 116. This structure is identical with the modification shown in FIGURE l2 and to which reference may also be made.

Sleeve 114 has a lug 116 in which is pivoted an overcenter` link 118 which is shaped so as to extend about sleeve 114 to a region generally diametrically opposite lug 116, but without otherwise contacting sleeve 114. In said region a spring 120 is connected with link 118 and extended in tension to any suitable fixed point or anchorage on pulley 72, for convenience above-mentioned pin il 106. Thus the pull of spring 120 will tend to cause rotation of sleeve 114 relatively to shaft 22 in one or the other direction in accordance with the relative position of lug 115. With the parts in the position shown in FIG. 2 (see also FIG. 11), link 11S is urged upwardly and tends to rotate sleeve 114 in a counterclockwise direction, thereby exerting a downward pull on link 112 and to resiliently maintain pawl 103 in contact with ratchet 110. If sleeve 114 is rotated by an outside force in a clockwise direction, link 118 will lbe urged downwardly and transferred to the other side of a plane extending through pin 106 and shaft 22. The upward pull of spring 120 on link 118 then tend to cause clockwise rotation of sleeve 114 and to maintain pawl 108 in a position out of engagement with ratchet 110. (See dotted position in FIG. 1l.)

It will be understood that, in operation, the parts all rotate together, maintaining the relations to each other shown in FIG. 2, but that certain manipulation of them is possible while they are in operation.

Hub 114 has a grip or brake portion 122 axially displaced from lug 116 outwardly of ratchet 110 and in position to be engaged by a brake shoe or bar 124, FIG. l, supported on the spreader, and which may be shifted into contact with brake portion 122 by a pull on a control rope 126. Thus when it is desired to stop the action of beaters 14 and 24, together with widespread 26, this may be done by a pull on control rope 126, the effect being to retard sleeve 114, which, as stated, is rotating with pulley 72, and which is equivalent to rotating it clockwise in relation to shaft 22, thus bringing the parts into the dotted position of FIG. 11 and permitting pulley 72 to run freely without driving shaft 22.

Since the parts rotate quite rapidly in normal operation and possess considerable mass, it is not desirable that pawl 103 be shifted from disengaged position while pulley 72 is rotating, and such action is virtually impossible with the arrangement disclosed. Pulley 72 runs counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 2 at approximately 250 revolutions per minute and unless sleeve 114 is rotated in the same direction in excess of this rate, pawl 108 cannot be engaged with ratchet 110. This constitutes an mportant safety feature, since the mechanism cannot be damaged by engagement of the positive driving parts while pulley 72 is rotating. When it is desired to again start the beaters, the power shaft 44 is stopped by the means normally provided on the tractor, after which it is a simple matter to rotate grip portion 122 manually in a counterclockwise direction, which will shift pawl 108 back into engagement with one of the teeth of` ratchet wheel 110, the over-center effect of spring 120 and link 118 maintaining the parts in this relation. Shaft 44 may then be restarted so as to again establish rotation of pulley 72, shaft 22 and the beaters and widespread, as will be apparent.

Other advantages accrue as a result of the construction disclosed. As stated, the beaters and widespread comprise considerable mass and when running have a large amount of momentum. If the spreader is empty these parts will tend to continue to run and could exert a substantial driving force on the tractor for a significant length of time through shaft 144. However, with the disclosed construction, if it is attempted to suddenly stop the tractor, shaft 44 and its connected parts, including pulley 72, may stop abruptly while widespread 26 and beaters 14- and 24 may continue to run or coast until the stored energy is dissipated, ratchet wheel merely rotating while pawl 10S rides over the teeth thereof under the resilient urging of spring 120. While the mechanism is operating with a load in box portion B, it would be highly' undesirable to disengage pawl 108, since conveyor C would then crowd the load against the stationary beaters with likelihood of serious damage to the parts. HoW- ever, under these conditions there is appreciable pressure between pawl 108 and ratchet wheel 110, such that the resulting substantial friction prevents ready disengagement of the pawl from the Wheel. As a result, it is ordinarily not possible to disengage the drive when running, except at such times as the box is substantially empty, as is desirable for allowing the conveyor C to clear out the last remnants of the load, and at which time there is virtually no material remaining and no reason to continue the operation of the beaters. Thus there is provided a construction in which the parts are normally positively driven, but in which the drive can be readily interrupted while the mechanism is running, and in which the heavy rotating parts may continue to run upon sudden interruption of the driving force. Furthermore, the drive cannot be re-engaged until the driving mechanism has first been brought to rest, and neither can it be disengaged while operating under load.

Above-mentioned pin 106 is provided in the present instance with a snap ring 128 which retains pawl 108 in place and the pin is reduced in size at 130 to provide a suitable secure anchorage for spring 120. Sleeve 114 is retained axially on shaft 22 by means of pins 132 and 134, a thrust washer 136 being interposed between the sleeve and pin 132 within brake portion 122. Ratchet Wheel 110 is secured on shaft 22 by means of a key 138. A iiange 140 on pawl 10S engages a portion of pulley 72 to maintain the proper location of the pawl in relation to ratchet wheel 110.

Pulley 72 also actuates the feeding apron or conveyor C as will now be described. As heretofore mentioned, pulley 72 is fixed on hub 104 having an eccentric portion 105 and causes rotation thereof by reason of a pin 142, FIG. 9. Hub portion 104 transmits the motion, as will appear, to above-mentioned conveyor chain C, which is engaged with sprockets 144, FIG. 6, fixed on a shaft 146 suitably journaled in the sides of box portion B and carrying, outside of box B a sprocket 14S, so that rotation of sprocket 14S will cause movement of conveyor C along the bottom 150 of box portion B in substantially conventional manner. This feeds the material within box B rearwardly into the beaters in lwell-known manner.

Such rotation of sprocket 148 is caused by a variable speed mechanism generally designated as 152, and which is constituted as follows: Hub 104 is journaled on shaft 22 so as to be freely rotatable thereon and has a driven toothed wheel, 154 rotatably mounted on the eccentric portion 105 thereof so as to be carried around bodily by rotation of hub portion 104, but wheel 154 is prevented from rotating about its own axis (except to a limited degree) by engagement of a pawl 156 journaled on a pin 150 fixed on a plate 160 securely fastened to the side of box portion B. Pawl 156 is retained in place on pin S by a Cotter, or the lil-ze, 162 and a spring 164 engaged with cotter 162 and having an offset portion 166 engaged with pawl 156, resiliently urges pawl 156 into engagement with the teeth 167 on wheel 154. With the mechanism so far described wheel 154 will revolve or move bodily in a circular path about the center -of shaft 22, but because of the engagement of pawl 156, wheel 154 will not rotate appreciably about its own axis, but will merely rock first in one direction and then in the other as determined by the relation between the center of eccentric portion 105 and the point ofengagement of the linger portion 16S of pawl 156 with wheel 154. However, it will be noted that wheel 154, while prevented from rotating under finger portion 168, has on its side opposite finger portion 168 a quite substantial to and fro component of motion, for example, in the region of a finger portion 170 on a pawl 172 pivoted on a pin 174 also carried on plate 160, and it will be appreciated that if it is assumed for purposes of explanation that nger portion 170 were resiliently engaged with the teeth on wheel 154, that this portion of the wheel would be permitted to move in one direction involving the aforesaid to and fro motion, but would not be permitted to move in the other direction because of engagement of finger 170 with the teeth 167. During such movement wheel @fi 154 would swing about linger 170 and the center of ec# centric portion 105 and cause movement of the portion of wheel 154 engaged with finger 16S in the direction permitted by pawl 156. This would result in limited rotation of wheel 154 in a counterclockwise direction. As will be apparent, an instant later the situation Will be reversed and wheel 154 will swing about finger 168 causing advancement of the teeth in contact with linger 170,

Y resulting in a further counterclockwise rotation of wheel 154. Thus when one pawl alone is in engagement with wheel 154, no substantial rotation of wheel 154 takes place, but if two pawls are in engagement with the wheel, a slow rotation takes place, in addition to the revolving or bodily translation of the wheel about the center of shaft 22.

Toothed wheel 154, as better seen in FIG. 9, is xed on a sleeve portion 176, which also has a sprocket portion 178 carrying a chain 180, FIG. 6, engaging with above-mentioned sprocket 148. The aforementioned slow rotation of wheel 154 is thereby transmitted to sprocket 148 and causes rotation thereof and actuation of conveyor C, as heretofore suggested. It will be apparent that substantial slack must be provided in chain 180 to provide for the periodic displacement or revolving of sprocket 17S, and to prevent the chain from running ofiE the sprockets, a tightener generally designated as 132 is provided, comprising spaced arms 184 and 186 journaled on shaft 146 and extending generally in the direction of shaft 22. Arms 164 and 136 provide space for sprocket 148 between them and are separated at their ends remote from shaft 146 by a spacer 18S while being secured in clamping relation therewith by a bolt 190. A roller 192 is journaled on spacer 188 between arms 184 and 186 on which chain 180 may run, the arms being urged in a clockwise direction about shaft 146 by a spring 194 anchored to a suitable stable connection 195 on box B. Tightener 192 oscillates freely about shaft 146 and maintains desirable tension in chain 180 in spite of the v,rather substantial gyrations of sprocket 178.

As understood in this art, a variety of feeding speeds is desirable, and for this purpose other pawls are provided on above-mentioned plate 160. For example, a pin 196 is fixed upon above-mentioned plate 160 and has journaled thereon a pawl 198 similar in all respects to pawl 156. Similarly, a pin 200 is fixed to plate and has a pawl 202 also similar to pawl 156, while a pin 204 fixed to` plate 160 carries a pawl 206. Pawl 198, beingY relatively close to pawl 156, will, when engaged with teeth 167, receive a relatively minor amount of movement of teeth 167 and will, therefore, advance wheel 154 a minimum amount when engaged. However, pawl 202, being spaced a greater amount from pawl 156, will cause a greater amount of rotation of wheel 154, which situation is shown in FIG. 8. Pawl 206 and pawl 172 when engaged with wheel 154 will cause respectively increasing amounts of rotation of wheel 154. As a practical matter, engagement of pawl 156 alone will merely cause a to and fro rocking of wheel 154 (exclusive of the gyratory movement thereof), while pawl 198 when engaged along with pawl 156 will 'cause a rotation of wheel 154 equivalent tothe space of one tooth for each complete rotation of eccentric portionv 105. Engagement of pawl 202 as illustrated in FIG. 8 will cause wheel 154 to advance two teeth for every turn of eccentric portion 105, pawl 206 will cause advancement of three teeth per turn, and engagement of pawl 172 as seen in FIG. V7 will cause an advance of four teeth per turn. Thus, by controlling the number of pawls in engagement with wheels 154, the speed of rotation of wheel 154 can be controlled. However, it is to be noted that all of the pawls in use, 2, 3, 4 or 5, as the case may be, are allowed to be engaged with wheel 154 at the same time, which results in a smoother.

movement of the feeding mechanism than would other- Wise be the case. If pawl 172 were engaged alone with pawl 156 (which of course is not possible), wheel 154 would advance 4 teeth for each turn of eccentric 104, but this advance would take place during approximately half a turn of eccentric 104, during the rest of said turn wheel 154 being idle. This would give a jerky movement in sprocket 148, which would be undesirable. However, with all of the pawls engaged, as they would be whenever pawl 172 is engaged and as shown in FIG. 7, movement would be initiated for example by pawl 198, continued by pawl 202, further continued by pawl 172, and completed by pawl 206, so that the movement of wheel 174 would be approximately continuous. Such continuous or nearly continuous movement of wheel 154 is, of course, altered or distorted somewhat by the eccentric or gyrating movement of sprocket 178, the movement being slowed while sprocket 178 is in the phase of movement toward sprocket 148 and speeded while sprocket 178 is moving away from sprocket 143. However, this movement is never sufficient to cause any appreciable stoppage or dwell in the movement of sprocket 148, a diagram of the movement of sprocket 148 simulating a wave or ripple movement, which is particularly advantageous in the actuation of apron or conveyor C.

Pawls 198, 206, 172 and 202 may be engaged and disengaged at will by means of a lug 208, and pins 210, 212 and 214 fixed on a plate 216 supported adjacent plate 160 and rotatable about shaft 22 in any suitable manner. Plate 216 may be rocked by means of an arm 218, and in the position shown pins 210, 212 and 214 will engage a rib portion as 219 on each of pawls 206, 172 and 202 and hold them out of contact with teeth 167. Pawl 198 is held out of contact with teeth 167 by means of abovementioned lug 208, fixed on plate 216 and engaging a heel portion 221 of pawl 198. As arm 218 is shifted to rock plate 216 in a clockwise direction, lug 208 will first shift in a downward direction, allowing pawl 198 to swing into Contact with wheel 154. This, as above explained, will cause rotation of wheel 154 to the extent of one tooth for each revolution of eccentric portion 105. Further rocking of plate 216 will cause pin 214 to register with a cutaway portion 222 in pawl 202, allowing the latter to swing into contact with wheel 154 as seen in FIG. 8. This, as above explained, will cause a two tooth advance of wheel 154, while further rocking of plate 216 will successively engage the pawls 172 and 206 in similar manner. Arm 218 may be actuated from the front of the spreader, normally by the tractor driver.

Turning to FIG. l, arm 218 is pivotally connected with a link or pull rod 224, which extends forwardly along the side of box B and connects with an arm 226 fixed in relation to a shaft 228 journaled transversely in box B and having fixed thereon a lever 230. Lever 230 may be rocked in an up-and-down direction in a slot 232 in wall 50 to cause rocking of shaft 228, and through arm 226 and rod 224, corresponding rocking of above-mentioned arm 218. Wall 50 provides a plurality of notches 234 and 236 FIGURE 4 engaged by a detent 238 of any suitable type on lever 230 to tix the lever in position. The parts are so proportioned that, with detent 238 in notch 234, arm 218 and plate 216 will be in the position shown in FIG. 6 so that there will be no resultant motion of conveyor C. Shifting of lever 230 for detent 238 to engage any of notches 236 will provide various positions of plate 216 as described so as to provide a feed of one or more teeth for each revolution of eccentric portion 104 or pulley 72. In this manner the feeding of material may be started, stopped or controlled at any time.

FIGS. 10, 1l and 12 show a modification of the structure heretofore described and which incorporates a frangible element to relieve the parts from destructive stresses in the event that the beaters or the widespread are blocked for any reason while the mechanism is being driven. A belt 5811 runs over a large pulley 72a, which is journaled on a hub portion 10411 and which has an eccentric portion 10511 the hub being journaled on a shaft 22a and therefore capable of rotating freely in relation thereto. Pulley 7211 drives shaft 2211 through -a safety ratchet type clutch device, including a pin 10611 fixed to a driving arm 10711, fixed on above-mentioned hub 10411. Pin 10611 extends substantially parallel to shaft 2211 and is radially spaced therefrom so as to carry a pawl 10811 extend from the pin generally in the direction of rotation of pulley 7211 and engaged with one of the teeth of a ratchet wheel 11011 fixed in relation to shaft 2211. Arm 10711 in the present instance extends somewhat beyond pin 10611 and is provided with a notch 11111 through which it is driven from pulley' 7211. Pulley 7211 has fixed therein a pin 11311 extending in the present instance generally parallel to abovementioned pin 10611. Pawl 10811 is urged into engagement with ratchet 11011 hy a link 11211 pvotally connected to a sleeve 11411 through which it is controlled in a manner similar to heretofore described pawl 108.

A frangible element 11511 is provided, in the present instance comprising a link of the type commonly incorporated in chain of the kind known as ribbon chain. Chain link 11511 is journaled at one end on pin 11311 and at the other end engaged in slot 11111. Rotation of pulley 7211 counterclockwise, as seen in FIGS. l0 and l2, therefore exerts a tension on link 11511 and pulls arm 10711 in a corresponding direction so that pulley 7211 and arm 10711 rotate as one. As will be apparent, pawl 10811 then drives ratchet wheel 11011 in a manner substantially identical with that in which pawl 108 drives ratchet wheel 110, as previously described. However, in the event that the beaters are blocked by frozen material, of if shaft 2211 is prevented from rotating for any reason, the strength of link 11511 will be exceeded and the link will fracture, allowing pulley 7211 to rotate along with hub 10411 while arm 10711, together with pawl 10811, wheel 11011 and shaft 2211 remain stationary. Under these conditions hub 10411 will remain stationary with arm 10711 so that no serious damage beyond the destruction of link 11511 will vbe inflicted.

Sleeve 11411, as in the case of previously described sleeve 114, is journaled on shaft 2211 and has a lug or bearing 11611 in which is journaled an offset link 11811, which extends generally in the direction of pin 10611 about sleeve 11411 and connects with a spring 12011 which 1s anchored on pin 10611. Sleeve 11411 has a brake portion 12211 and is prevented from shifting axially on shaft 2211 by pins 12411 and 126, a washer 12811 being interposed within brake portion 12211. The operation of this construction is substantially the same as that shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, it being possible to engage pawl 10811 by turning brake portion 12211 in a counterclockwise direction, and to disengage pawl 10811 (when not under load) by turning `brake portion 12211 clockwise, or if running, retarding it slightly by means of a brake shoe, as 124 in FIG. 1.

Hub 10511 has a toothed wheel 15411 journaled thereon and having a sleeve portion 17611 carrying a sprocket 17811 which connects, through a chain 18011, with a sprocket 14811 fixed to a feed shaft 14611, all in a mannerslmilar to the mechanism heretofore disclosed. A chain tightener generally designated as 18211, conveniently identical with chain tightener 182, is used with chain 18011 in the same manner.

For safety, and to protect the feeding and beater drivingmechanism, a cover 240, FIG. 13, is connected by a hinge 242 to a portion of box B and to which is pivoted on a pin 244, above-mentioned brake shoe 124, brake portion 122 projecting through a suitable openlng m cover 240 into the path of movement of shoe 124. Cover 240 has a shoulder 246 to which is pivoted outwardly of hinge 242 a rod 248, slidable in a suitable opening in a bracket 250 fixed on extension 18 so as to slide up and down therein as cover 240 is raised and lowered. A spring 252 is positioned to press upwardly against bracket 250 and downwardly against an abut- 9 ment 254 ixed on rod 248 so that the spring pressure tends to hold cover 240 in lowered position. However, when the cover is raised, for example manually, the pivot point of rod 248 will be shifted inwardly of hinge 242, as seen in dotted lines in FIG. 14, whereupon the pressure of spring 252 will tend to maintain the parts in the dotted position, with cover 240 raised for access to the feed mechanism when necessary.

The operation of the spreader is thought to be clear from the foregoing description, and no further explanation should be necessary except to say that the power take-off shaft 44 actuates the beater shaft 22 through the belt 58 traveling about pulleys 54, 64, 72 and 68, pulley 72 driving shaft 22 through pawl 108 and ratchet wheel 110. This drive may be readily interrupted by retarding brake portion 122 at such times as substantially all of the load has been discharged from the spreader. However, the drive cannot again be engaged until the rotation of the parts has been stopped by the usual means on the tractor. Shaft 22 acts as the main driveshaft for beater 14 and widespread 26 while it supports and drives beater 24. The drive to the feed rake or conveyor is accomplished through a gyrating displacement of toothed wheel 154 when the latter is engaged by two or more spaced pawls, a plurality of such pawls being engageable at will in a selected pattern which will give a variety of speeds in conveyor C. The movement of the conveyor is relatively smooth by virtue of the motion produced by the peculiar action of the groups of pawls on the gyrating toothed wheel.

By virtue of the disclosed construction the beaters, widespread and feed conveyor may be started simultaneously and, when the load is discharged, the beaters may be stopped while the conveyor continues 4to run to clean out the last traces of material from the spreader. However, it is impossible to disengage and stop the beaters while the conveyor continues to operate if there is any appreciable amount of material still being discharged. Conversely, it is not possible to engage the positive drive to the beaters and widespread while the driving mechanism is rotating.

A readily replaceable frangible connection is provided which may break if potentially dangerous loads are encountered in the mechanism, .and a convenient cover encloses the same but is readily shifted out of .the way when necessary.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In a power control for a Spreader, a rotatable shaft, a ratchet wheel fixed on said shaft, a pawl support element journaled on said shaft, means for rotating said pawl support element, a pawl movably carried by said pawl support element in juxtaposition with said ratchet wheel for driving engagement therewith, and means carried at least in part by said element and at least in part by said shaft for selectively urging said pawl into engagement with said ratchet wheel for effecting rotation of said shaft from said element or for removing said pawl from engagement with said ratchet wheel to thereby permit said shaft to remain stationary while said element rotates.

2. In a power control for a spreader, a rotatable shaft, a ratchet wheel fixed on said shaft, a pawl support element journaled on said shaft, means for rotating said pawl support element, a pawl movably carried by said pawl support element in juxtaposition with said ratchet wheel for driving engagement therewith, and means carried at least in part by said element and at least in part by said shaft for selectively urging said pawl into engagement with said ratchet wheel for effecting rotation of said shaft from said element or for removing said pawl from engagement with said ratchet wheel to thereby permit said shaft to remain stationary while said element rotates, said last mentioned means including a spring.

3. In a power control for a spreader the combination ait-36,1%

l() of a driven shaft, a rotatable driving element journaled on the shaft, a toothed ratchet wheel fixed on the shaft, a pawl shiftable on said rotatable element into engagement with the teeth on said ratche wheel, a sleeve journaled on said shaft for rotation therewith and for limited rotation relatively thereto, means for yieldingly positioning said sleeve relatively to said shaft including a link pivoted to said sleeve at a point radially displaced from the axis of said shaft, a spring connected to said link, an anchorage on said rotatable element, said link and spring being extended substantially diametrically across said shaft to said anchorage when said sleeve is in its mean rotated position relative to said shaft, and connected to said anchorage on said rotatable element, and means connected with said sleeve and with said pawl adapted to shift said pawl by reason of rotation of said sleeve in one direction, into engagement with said ratchet wheel, and by reason of rotation of said sleeve in the other direction, to shift said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet wheel.

4. In a power control for a spreader the combination of a shaft, a rotatable element rotatably supported from the shaft, driving means for said rotatable element, a toothed ratchet wheel iixed on the shaft, a pawl shiftable on said rotatable element into engagement with the teeth on said ratchet wheel, and yielding means urging said pawl into engagement with said teeth, said yielding means comprising a sleeve rotatably supported on said shaft, means connected to said sleeve and to said pawl arranged to shift said pawl by reason of rotation of said sleeve relatively to said shaft, means limiting said relative rotation of said sleeve, means urging rotation of said sleeve in one direction to the extent permitted by said limiting means and said urging means having another adjusted position in which it urges said sleeve in the other direction to the extent permitted by said limiting means.

5; in a power control for a spreader the combination of a shaft, a rotatable element rotatably supported from the shaft, a toothed ratchet wheel xed on the shaft, a pawl shiftable on said rotatable element into engagement with the teeth on said ratchet wheel, and yielding means urging said pawl into engagement with said teeth, said yielding means comprising a sleeve rotatably supported on said shaft, means connected to said sleeve and to said pawl arranged to shift said pawl by reason of rotation of said sleeve relatively to said shaft, means limiting'said relative rotation of said sleeve, means urging rotation of said sleeve in one direction to the extent permitted by said limiting means, said urging means having another adjusted position in which it urges said sleeve in the other direction to the extent permitted by said limiting means, and brake means supported on said spreader adjacent said sleeve and shiftable into contact with said sleeve to retard said sleeve to cause rotation thereof relative to said shaft, said means connected to said sleeve and to said pawl being positioned to shift said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet wheel as a result of retarding of said sleeve.

6. In a power control for a spreader the combination of a shaft, a rotatable element rotatably supported from the shaft, a toothed ratchet wheel iixed on the shaft, a pawl shiftable on said rotatable element into engagement with the teeth on said ratchet wheel, and yielding means urging said pawl into engagement with said teeth, said yielding means comprising a sleeve supported on said shaft for rotation therewith and for rotation relatively thereto, means limiting said relative rotation of said sleeve, shifting means connected to said sleeve and to said pawl arranged to shift said pawl by reason of rotation of said sleeve relatively to said shaft, means urging rotation of said sleeve in one direction to the extent permitted by said limi-ting means and said urging means having another adjusted position in which it urges said sleeve in the other direction, brake means supported on said spreader adjacent said sleeve and shiftable into contact ll with said sleeve to retard said sleeve to cause rotation thereof relative to said shaft, said shifting means being positioned to shift said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet wheel as a result of retarding of said sleeve, and said sleeve having a projection on the circumference thereof in position to engage said brake means to insure retarding of said sleeve under unfavorable conditions.

7. In a power control for a spreader the combination of a shaft, a rotatable element rotatably supported from the shaft, a toothed ratchet Wheel fixed on the shaft, a pawl shiftable on said rotatable element into engagement with the teeth on said ratchet wheel, and yielding means urging said pawl into engagement with said teeth, said yielding means comprising a sleeve supported on said shaft for rotation therewith and forrotation relatively thereto, means limiting said relative rotation of said sleeve, shifting means connected to said sleeve and to said pawl arranged to shift said pawl by reason of rotation of said sleeve relatively to said shaft, means urging rotation of said sleeve in one direction to the extent permitted by said limiting meansand said urging means having another adjusted position in which it urges said sleeve in the other direction, and in which it urges said pawl away from said teeth, and brake means supported on said spreader adjacent said sleeve and shiftable into contact with said sleeve to retard said sleeve to cause rota- Ition thereof relative to said shaft, said shifting means being positioned to shift said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet wheel as a result of retarding of said sleeve, and the teeth on said ratchet wheel being at an angle as related to said pawl such as to frictionally retain said pawl in engagement therewith against the urging of said sleeve whenever substantial power is being transmitted by said pawl.

8. In a spreader drive the combination of a driven shaft, a driving element journaled on the shaft, means imparting motion to said driving element, a driven element journaled on the shaft fastening means on the driven element spaced radially from said shaft, fastening means on said driving element spaced radially from said shaft and positioned to clear the first mentioned fastening means upon rotation of said driving element relatively to said driven element, and a frangible element engaged with the second mentioned fastening means, extending backwardly in relation to the direction of rotation and engaged with the first mentioned fastening means Wherei2 by to rotate said driven element by pulling it in the direction of rotation, and means connecting said driven element to said driven shaft for rotation of said shaft by reason of rotation of said driven element.

9. In a spreader drive the combination of a driven shaft, a driving element rotatably supported from the shaft, means imparting motion to said driving element, a driven element rotatably supported from the shaft, fastening means on the driven element spaced radially from said shaft, fastening means on said driving element spaced radially from said shaft and positioned to clear the first mentioned fastening means upon rotation of said driving element relatively to said driven element, anda frangible element` engaged with the second mentioned fastening means, extending backwardly in relation to the direction of rotation and engaged with the rst mentioned fastening means whereby to rotate said driven element by pulling it in the direction of rotation, and means connecting said driven element to said driven shaft for rotation of said shaft by reason of rotation of said driven element.

l0. In a spreader drive the combination of a driven shaft, a driving element rotatably supported from the shaft, means imparting motion to said driving clement, a driven element rotatably supported from the shaft, a notch on the driven element spaced radially from said shaft, a pin on said driving element spaced radially from said shaft and positioned to clear the driven element upon rotation of said driving element relatively to said driven element, and a chain link engaged with the pin, extending backwardly in relation to the direction of rotation and engaged with the notch whereby to rotate said driven element by pulling it in the direction of rotation, and means connecting said driven element to said driven shaft for rotation of said shaft by reason of rotation of said driven element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 803,024 10/05 Steitz 192-47 2,224,593 12/40 Brown 74-1255 2,433,336 12/47 Bordelon 192-47 2,699,337 1/55 Best 74-152 X 3,059,488 lO/62 Daubenbergcr 74--152 X 3,127,778 4/64 Koch 74-116 BROUGHTON G. DURHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A POWER CONTROL FOR A SPREADER, A ROTATABLE SHAFT, A RATCHET WHEEL FIXED ON SAID SHAFT, A PAWL SUPPORT ELEMENT JOURNALED ON SAID SHAFT, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID PAWL SUPPORT ELEMENT, A PAWL MOVABLY CARRIED BY SAID PAWL SUPPORT ELEMENT IN JUXTAPOSITION WITH SAID RATCHET WHEEL FOR DRIVING ENGAGEMENT THEREWITH, AND MEANS CARRIED AT LEAST IN PART BY SAID ELEMENT AND AT LEAST IN PART BY SAID SHAFT FOR SELECTIVELY URGING SAID PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RATCHET WHEEL FOR EFFECTING ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT FROM SAID ELEMENT OR FOR REMOVING SAID PAWL FROM ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RATCHET WHEEL TO THEREBY PERMIT SAID SHAFT TO REMAIN STATIONARY WHILE SAID ELEMENT ROTATES. 